But were not those coal fired power stations built with government money owned by the government at the time ie. the state electricity commissions? So not really subsidised, just part of the times when the people owned the infrastructure, so the people were just getting some of their investment back. But, they were sold off to the private sector eventually, but now the subsidies go directly to the private sector, lining the pockets of the shareholders at public expense. Throw in turmoil about the direction of government policy that will dictate what source of power will be politically acceptable and it's no wonder they are looking at green power. There's much more money to be made out of it, and that's all private companies are interested in.